Chapter 76: The Temple's Challenge

The group went inside the long hallway, which is the first thing they see after entering the temple.

Idmon was kind of expecting the walls to have some ancient writings or drawings, but the walls were clean, and there was not a scratch or dust on them.

Granpa: "My ancestors note that they regret not being able to save the empire, but the Ancient Creators had told them they would not interfere, or the dwarven race would be extinct."

So the Ancients did what they did for a reason? However, was that more important than saving the empire of the Dwarves?

Or maybe they saved the Dwarven race by abstaining from the war.

Bon: "It seems like the Creators did not like how the Dwarves used the wealth and power they received from the golems. They probably deemed it the rightful punishment for the greedy dwarves."

Granpa: "Whatever questions we have, the Ancients will answer them once we meet them. For now, let's keep quiet. They might be listening to us."

???"How perceptive of you, dwarf."

Suddenly, a voice spoke to us. Where it comes from, we do not know.

Idmon: "(t) Telepathy?"

??? "Oh no, child. It is not telepathy."

Magical stones illuminated the walls of the hallway, and these stones glow brighter when the voice speaks.

Granpa: "The gems are talking."

??? "I am merely speaking through it. I am not the gem."

The gem suddenly projected an image of the ancient creator. The helmet that he wore covered his entire face. The helm's surface is smooth, and there was no space for air to flow in or out.

This technology, or magic, is not known to the dwarfs or any of the human kingdoms. I'm not sure anyone in the world knows about it.

??? "I have been a rude host by not welcoming you properly. Please proceed towards the door."

Suddenly, a door opens on the right side of the wall.

??? "I was judging if you were intruders who found a way to open the temple with force or magic. If you were, then I would've let you walk the Eternal Hallway forever."

Idmon: "I'm surprised you didn't consider us enemies because we are undead."

???"The silver locket is an amazing invention made by the Dwarves. I would recognize that anywhere. Anyone who possesses that is a friend of the inventor or his descendants."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

We entered the door, and a room with a vast space lay in front of us.

There was no furniture or anything—just an empty room.

When we reached the room's center, a square tile on the floor opened, and a statue with a gem came out.

Hos: "Welcome; my name is Hos. I am one of the ancient creators that you were talking about earlier. What is the purpose of your visit to our temple?"

Granpa: "I am a direct descendant of the Oldbeard who invented the silver locket and the Temple key. And I request the aid of the golems like in the past, please!"

Hos: "Oh. Just like him."

The Ancient Creator stayed quiet for a few seconds. He was pondering the request of the undead dwarf before him.

Hos: "Your ancestor requested the very same thing, and I have the same answer as before. I will not help you."

Granpa: "What!?"

Hos: "Although I'm very intrigued that instead of the regular dwarfs, an undead dwarf is here asking for help, do you remember that your races were mortal enemies? Your race's greed and isolation brought your downfall, and these Undead are the ones who did it."

Granpa: "Yes, that is right. That is also one of the reasons I came here with them. We have reconciled with the Undead and have allied with them! We can change, and this is proof! Humans will surely wipe us out if we don't receive help!"

Hos' hand was stroking his chin, and he seemed to be interested in this turn of events.

Hos: "I can't believe the creation of Necro has started to have relations with other races. Even alliances! This abnormality is something that we did not foresee."

Necro must be the name of the creator and researcher who made undead beings.

Granpa: "Does this mean you created the undead?"

Hos: "I had no part in it, but another ancient creator gave a human the means to transform their dead into a being that doesn't feel pain or any other emotions. It will follow the absolute orders of its superior."

So that means we weren't mindless undead before. We just follow the command of the Skeleton King using any means possible.

Without a specific command, the undead would perform like mindless soldiers.

Hos: "We approve the creation of the Undead to force the Dwarves, Humans, Elves, and our other children to come together and put aside their differences."

That failed miserably, though.

Hos: "Instead of coming together, the Elves hid in the forest, and the Humans fought each other while the Dwarves watched the humans destroy each other without knowing they were next."

Granpa: "We were foolish."

The Undead was the scourge that will kill every living being in the region.

Hos: "It wasn't perfect, though. The Undead were very hard to control, and if a powerful Undead becomes their leader, a hatred for all living things appears in them. If the will of a human or anything turned undead is weak, then their mind will be consumed by hatred, and they will forget their memories and emotions."

Idmon: "So only creatures with the strongest wills can control themselves and have memories of their past?"

Hos: "That was correct before. However, it seems that right now, many things have gone against our predictions, and it seems like you have free will. Forgive me for saying this, but I don't sense you have the power to reject the hatred for living beings."

Idmon: "(t) Then how did we come to be? How did we become free of the hatred of the living when the death of the Skeleton King severed our connection?

Hos: "From our observation with the Skeleton Kings of old, their will and power are so strong that it allowed them to ignore the limitation of being filled with hatred. Lesser Skeleton Kings have appeared, and they behaved like normal undead beings."

Idmon: "(t) That can't be true. Even my weakest soldiers have free will, and they can think for themselves."

Hos: "Then it's an abnormality on the same level as a miracle. I would like to see what you Undead will become in the future."

Idmon: "Does this mean you will help us?"

Hos: "Not so fast, child. I am leaning towards helping you see what you would become. However, I will not provide my help to those who are not worthy."

Granpa: "What do you mean? Do you need payment? I doubt we have anything worth more than anything you possess in the temple."

Hos: "You're so focused on monetary concerns, dwarf. What I seek is not compensation but entertainment."

Suddenly, the empty room changed drastically. The room resembled something like a thick forest, and it even had a flowing river.

Granpa: "What in the world?"

Bon: "Magic? No, I don't feel magic power or negative energy in creating this place."

Hos: "This is the Trial Grounds of the Ancients. It is one of many. The temple itself picks this location. It means that the temple believes that this is a suitable challenge for you."

Idmon: "(t) What is the challenge? If it's a battle, then we won't back down."

Hos: "You are right. It is a simple battle, but remember: "

The statue showed another gem glowing in the palm of its hand.

Hos: "You are not allowed to use magic. To be specific, this gem prevents you from using it."

Bon: "So, that's what it was."

Hos: "This means you need nothing but physical prowess, your racial skills, and skills that do not require magic power or negative energy."

This situation is terrible. If we are going to battle a behemoth and Bon faces it alone, he will be crushed.

Hos: "I will not help those who only rely on magic and negative energy. The gem will not take the negative energy needed to sustain your forms, but you will not be able to heal with negative energy if you are damaged."

It is a considerable risk. This handicap means we cannot take damage carelessly.

Idmon: "So what would I be fighting against, exactly?"

Hos: "Isn't it obvious?"

The ground started shaking like there was an earthquake. Giant footsteps caused these quakes.

It was none other than the golems.